Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
CONNECTING BUYERS AND SELLERS
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under of U.S. Provisional
Patent
Application Serial No. 61/712,214 filed October 10, 2012, which is
incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety and made a part thereof.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to
systems and
methods for connecting buyers and sellers. In particular, systems and methods
disclosed herein may scan social networking sites to find keywords indicative
of
a person's desire or need to sell or buy a product and connect potential
sellers
and buyers.
BACKGROUND
[0003] One of the
difficulties in buying or selling a product is finding a
buyer for the product that one is selling, or finding a seller who is selling
the
product of interest. However, people use social sites and social networking
daily
to connect with other people over the Internet. However, people also share
many personal details over these social sites that provide insights into a
person's
needs, wants, and future behavior.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Various ones of
the appended drawings merely illustrate example
embodiments of the present invention and cannot be considered as limiting its
scope.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a
network diagram depicting a network system having a
client-server architecture configured for exchanging data over a network,
according to an example embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a block diagram
illustrating an example embodiment of
multiple marketplace and payment applications, which are provided as part of
the network system.
1
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
[0007] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of
multiple modules forming a social scan application, which is provided as part
of
the network system.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a screenshot illustrating an example social network
activity
feed with example social network entries, consistent with some embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a screenshot illustrating an example interface for
connecting
buyers and sellers, consistent with some embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for
connecting buyers and sellers by scanning social information, consistent with
some embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a computing device,
according
to an example embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the
example
form of a computer system within which a set of instructions for causing the
machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may
be executed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to specific example
embodiments for carrying out the inventive subject matter. Examples of these
specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be
understood that they are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the
described embodiments. On the contrary, they are intended to cover
alternatives,
modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the scope of the
disclosure as defined by the appended claims. In the following description,
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
the
subject matter. Embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these
specific details.
[0014] In accordance with the present disclosure, components, process
steps,
and data structures may be implemented using various types of operating
systems, programming languages, computing platforms, computer programs,
and/or general purpose machines. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the
art
will recognize that devices of a less general purpose or nature, such as
hardwired
2
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
devices, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific
integrated
circuits (ASICs), or the like, may also be used without departing from the
scope
of the concepts disclosed herein.
[0015] Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems and methods
for
connecting buyers and sellers by scanning social networks. The systems and
methods provided herein may allow for the connection of potential buyers of a
product to potential sellers of the same or similar products by scanning
users'
messages on social networking sites for keywords indicating a need or want to
sell or buy a particular product.
[0016] Consistent with some embodiments, the method may include
scanning social network entries made by users on one or more social network.
The method may further include identifying keywords from the social network
entries that indicate a product that may be available for sale and identifying
keywords that indicate a potential purchase of the product. In some
embodiments, the method may include determining the intent of a user to
purchase a product. The method may further include determining that a first
user (e.g., a potential buyer) and a second user (e.g., a potential seller)
are a
match based on the two users referring to the same or similar products in one
or
more social network entries. In response to determining that the first user
and
the second user are a match, the two users may be communicatively connected.
In some embodiments, communicatively connecting the two users may include
transmitting a message (e.g., email, SMS text message, Instant Message (IM),
or
the like) to each of the users notifying each of the other's intent (e.g.,
intent of
the potential seller to sell the product, and the intent of the potential
buyer to buy
the product).
[0017] FIG. 1 is a network diagram depicting an example network system
100, according to one embodiment, having a client-server architecture
configured for exchanging data over a network. For example, the network
system 100 may be a network-based marketplace 102 where clients may
communicate and exchange data within the network system 100. The data may
pertain to various functions and aspects associated with the network system
100
and its users.
[0018] A data exchange platform, in an example form of the network-
based
3
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
marketplace 102, may provide server-side functionality, via a network 104
(e.g.,
the Internet), to one or more client devices. The one or more client devices
may
be operated by users that use the network system 100 to exchange data over the
network 104. These transactions may include transmitting, receiving
(communicating), and processing data to, from, and regarding content and users
of the network system 100. The data may include, but are not limited to:
images; video or audio content; user preferences; product and service
feedback,
advice, and reviews; product, service, manufacturer, and vendor
recommendations and identifiers; product and service listings associated with
buyers and sellers; product and service advertisements; auction bids; and
transaction data, among other things.
[0019] In various embodiments, the data exchanges within the network
system 100 may be dependent upon user-selected functions available through
one or more client or user interfaces (UIs). The UIs may be associated with a
client device, such as a client device 106 using web client 110. The web
client
110 may be in communication with the network-based marketplace 102 via a
web server 122. The UIs may also be associated with a client device 108 using
a
programmatic client 112, such as a client application, or a third party server
114
(e.g., one or more servers or client devices) hosting a third party
application 116.
It can be appreciated that, in various embodiments, the client devices 106,
108,
and/or the third party server 114 may be associated with a buyer, a seller, a
third
party electronic commerce platform, a payment service provider, or a shipping
service provider, each in communication with the network-based marketplace
102 and optionally with each other. The buyers and sellers may be any one of
individuals, merchants, or service providers, among other things.
[0020] The client devices 106 and 108 may be any of a variety of types
of
devices. For example, the client devices 106 and 108 may a mobile device such
as a smartphone such as an iPhoneTM or other mobile device running the iOSTM
operating system, the AndroidTM operating system, a BlackBerryTM operating
system, the Microsoft Windows Phone operating system, SymbianTM OS, or
webOSTM. Consistent with some embodiments, the client devices 106 and 108
may alternatively be a tablet computer, such as an iPadTM or other tablet
computer running one of the aforementioned operating systems. In some
4
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
embodiments, the client device 106 and 108 may also be a personal digital
assistant (PDA), a personal navigation device (PND), a handheld computer, a
desktop computer, a laptop or netbook, a set-top box (STB) such as provided by
cable or satellite content providers, a wearable computing device such as
glasses
or a wristwatch, a multimedia device embedded in an automobile, a Global
Positioning System (GPS) device, a data enabled book reader, or a video game
system console such as the Nintendo WiiTM, the Microsoft Xbox 360TM, or
the Sony PlayStationTM 3, or other video game system consoles.
[0021] Consistent with some embodiments, the client devices 106 and
108
may include any appropriate combination of hardware and/or software having
one or more processors and capable of reading instructions stored on a non-
transitory machine-readable medium for execution by the one or more
processors. Consistent with some embodiments, the client devices 106 and 108
may include a machine-readable medium, such as a memory (not shown) that
includes instructions for execution by one or more processors (not shown) for
causing the client devices 106 and 108 to perform specific tasks. For example,
such instructions may include viewing, purchasing, and selling products
through
marketplace and payment applications 126 and 128. Further, content may be
displayed by particular applications or "apps" stored in a memory of the
client
devices 106 and 108 and executed by one or more processors executing in the
client devices 106 and 108. One example of an application is a browser
application that displays content, such as a web page or a user interface
using a
browser, a marketplace application that is used to interact with an online
marketplace that may be provided by application server 124. The client devices
106 and 108 may also include social applications (e.g., Facebook, Twitter,
Google+, Pinterest, Svpply, or the like) in communication with a third party
server 114.
[0022] The client devices 106 and 108 may interface via a connection
118
with a communication network 104 (e.g., the Internet or Wide Area Network
(WAN)). Depending on the form of the client device 106 and 108, any of a
variety of types of connections 118 and communication networks 104 may be
used. For example, the connection 118 may be Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA) connection, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)
5
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
connection, or other type of cellular connection. Such a connection 118 may
implement any of a variety of types of data transfer technology, such as
Single
Carrier Radio Transmission Technology (1xRTT), Evolution-Data Optimized
(EVDO) technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology,
Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology, or other data
transfer technology (e.g., fourth generation wireless, 4G networks). When such
technology is employed, the communication network 104 may include a cellular
network that has a plurality of cell sites of overlapping geographic coverage,
interconnected by cellular telephone exchanges. These cellular telephone
exchanges may be coupled to a network backbone (e.g., the public switched
telephone network (PSTN), a packet-switched data network, or to other types of
networks).
[0023] In another example, the connection 118 may be Wireless Fidelity
(Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11x type) connection, a Worldwide Interoperability for
Microwave Access (WiMAX) connection, or another type of wireless data
connection. In such an embodiment, the communication network 104 may
include one or more wireless access points coupled to a local area network
(LAN), a WAN, the Internet, or other packet-switched data network. In yet
another example, the connection 118 may be a wired connection, for example an
Ethernet link, and the communication network 104 may be a LAN, a WAN, the
Internet, or other packet-switched data network. Accordingly, a variety of
different configurations are expressly contemplated.
[0024] FIG. 1 also illustrates a third party application 116 executing
on the
third party server 114 that may offer one or more services to users of the
client
devices 106 and 108. The third party application 116 may have programmatic
access to the network-based marketplace 102 via the programmatic interface
provided by an application program interface (API) server 120. In some
embodiments, the third party application 116 may be associated with a vendor,
a
merchant, or any organizations that may conduct transactions with the users of
the client devices 106 and 108. For some example embodiments, the third party
application 116 may be associated with an online marketplace (e.g., eBay, Inc.
of San Jose, California). In some embodiments, the third party application 116
may correspond to a social network (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Google+,
Pinterest,
6
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
Svpply, or the like).
[0025] Turning specifically to the network-based marketplace 102, the
API
server 120 and a web server 122 are coupled to, and provide programmatic and
web interfaces respectively to, one or more application servers 124. The
application servers 124 host one or more marketplace applications 126, payment
applications 128, and social scan applications 130, which may be configured to
scan the social network connections and social interactions on social
networking
sites of users to attempt to connect potential buyers to potential sellers of
products. The application servers 124 may be coupled via these interfaces to
the
communication network 104, for example, via wired or wireless interfaces. The
application servers 124 are, in turn, shown to be coupled to one or more
database
servers 132 that facilitate access to one or more databases 134. In some
examples, the application servers 124 can access the databases 134 directly
without the need for a database server 132. In some embodiments, the databases
134 may include databases both internal and external to the network-based
marketplace 102.
[0026] The marketplace applications 126 may provide a number of
marketplace functions and services to users that access the network-based
marketplace 102. The payment applications 128 may likewise provide a number
of payment services and functions to users. The payment applications 128 may
allow users to accumulate value (e.g., in a commercial currency, such as the
U.S.
dollar, or a proprietary currency, such as "points") in accounts, and then
later to
redeem the accumulated value for products (e.g., goods or services) that are
made available via the marketplace applications 126. For some example
embodiments, the payment applications 128 generally enable transfer of values
(e.g., funds, reward points, etc.) from an account associated with one party
(e.g.,
a sender) to another account associated with another party (e.g., a receiver).
To
perform the value transfer, execution of the payment applications 128 may be
based on one or more approval flows. This may require having access or the
rights to initiate these approval flows and to use the services of a payment
facilitator. One example of a payment facilitator is PayPal, Inc. of San Jose,
California. Having access may not include having approval to transfer the
values out of the sender's account, while having approval may implicitly
include
7
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
having access.
[0027] While the marketplace, payment, and social scan applications
126,
128, and 130 are shown in FIG. 1 to all form part of the network-based
marketplace 102, it will be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the
social scan applications 130 may form part of a service that is separate and
distinct from the network-based marketplace 102. Further, while the system 100
shown in FIG. 1 employs client-server architecture, the present inventive
subject
matter is, of course, not limited to such an architecture, and could equally
well
find application in an event-driven, distributed, or peer-to-peer architecture
system, for example. The various modules of the application servers 124 may
also be implemented as standalone systems or software programs, which do not
necessarily have networking capabilities.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of
multiple modules forming the marketplace applications 126, which are provided
as part of the network system 100. The modules of the marketplace applications
126 may be hosted on dedicated or shared server machines that are
communicatively coupled to enable communications between server machines.
Each of the modules 200-214 are communicatively coupled (e.g., via
appropriate interfaces) to each other and to various data sources, so as to
allow
information to be passed between the modules 200-214 of the marketplace
applications 126 or so as to allow the modules 200-214 to share and access
common data. The various modules of the marketplace applications 126 may
furthermore access one or more databases 134 via the database servers 132.
[0029] The marketplace applications 126 may provide a number of
publishing, listing, and price-setting mechanisms whereby a seller may list
(or
publish information concerning) goods or services for sale, a buyer can
express
interest in or indicate a desire to purchase such goods or services, and a
price can
be set for a transaction pertaining to the goods or services. To this end, the
marketplace applications 126 are shown to include at least one publication
module 200 and one or more auction modules 202, which support auction-format
listing and price setting mechanisms (e.g., English, Dutch, Vickrey, Chinese,
Double, Reverse auctions etc.). The various auction modules 202 may also
provide a number of features in support of such auction-format listings, such
as a
8
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
reserve price feature whereby a seller may specify a reserve price in
connection
with a listing, and a proxy-bidding feature whereby a bidder may invoke
automated proxy bidding.
[0030] A number of fixed-price modules 204 support fixed-price
listing
formats (e.g., the traditional classified advertisement-type listing or a
catalogue
listing) and buyout-type listings. Specifically, buyout-type listings (e.g.,
including the Buy-It-Now (BIN) technology developed by eBay Inc., of San
Jose, California) may be offered in conjunction with auction-format listings,
and
allow a buyer to purchase goods or services, which are also being offered for
sale via an auction, for a fixed-price that is typically higher than the
starting
price of the auction.
[0031] Store modules 206 may allow sellers to group their product
listings
(e.g., goods and/or services) within a "virtual" store, which may be branded
and
otherwise personalized by and for the sellers. Such a virtual store may also
offer
promotions, incentives, and features that are specific and personalized to a
relevant seller. In one embodiment, the listings and/or transactions
associated
with the virtual store and its features may be provided to one or more users.
[0032] Navigation of the network-based marketplace 102 may be
facilitated
by one or more navigation modules 208. For example, a search module may,
inter alia, enable key word searches of listings published via the marketplace
102. A browser module may allow users via an associated UI to browse various
category, catalogue, inventory, social network, and review data structures
within
the marketplace 102. Various other navigation modules 208 (e.g., an external
search engine) may be provided to supplement the search and browsing modules.
Consistent with some embodiments, the results for key word searches of
listings
published via the marketplace 102 may be filtered to include only listings
corresponding to social network connections of the user (e.g., indicated
friends
and family).
[0033] In one embodiment, electronic shopping cart modules 210 are
used to
create an electronic shopping cart used by users of the network-based
marketplace 102 to add and store products (e.g., goods and services) listed by
the
store modules 206. The electronic shopping cart modules 210 may also be used
to "check out," meaning a user may purchase products in the electronic
shopping
9
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
cart. The electronic shopping cart modules 210 may facilitate the transactions
by automatically finding the products in the electronic shopping cart across
at
least one or all of a predefined set of vendors, a comparison shopping site,
an
auction site, etc. In various embodiments, the selection criteria for which
vendor
or vendors to purchase from may include, but is not limited to, criteria such
as
lowest cost, fastest shipping time, preferred or highest rated vendors or
sellers,
or any combination thereof.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the marketplace applications 126 may
also
include one or more user profile modules 212, which are used to generate and
maintain a user profile for each user of the networked system 100. Each user
profile may be stored and maintained in the database 134. Each user profile
comprises a user data that describes aspects of a particular user. The user
data
may include demographic data, user preferences, user activity, and user
account
information. Accordingly, the user profile modules 212 may be configured to
monitor, track, and record the activities and interactions of a user, using
one or
more devices (e.g., client device 106), with the various modules of the
network
system 100. The user profile modules 212 may store each user session as an
activity set and maintain each activity set as part of the user data.
Accordingly,
in some embodiment, the user data may include past product searches that users
have performed, products added to a user wish list or watch list, products
added
to an electronic shopping cart, products that the users own, and any themes
that a
user has indicated they would like to find more products related to. In some
embodiments, the user preferences may be inferred by the user profile modules
212 from the user activity.
[0035] In some embodiments, the user profile modules 212 may work in
conjunction with the navigation modules 208 to monitor and store the activity
of
the user associated with the searching and browsing of listings published via
the
network-based marketplace 102. Accordingly, the user profile may also include
a transaction history of the user. Transaction history may include information
related to transactions for items or services (e.g., products) offered for
sale by a
network based marketplace 102. The transaction history information may, for
example, include a description of a product purchased by the user, an
identifier
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
of the product, a category to which the product belongs, a purchase price, a
quantity, or a number of bids.
[0036] The demographic data included as part of the user profile may
include information describing one or more characteristics of a user.
Demographic data may, for example, include gender, age, location information,
employment history, education history, contact information, familial
relations, or
user interests.
[0037] The user account information included in each user profile may,
for
example, include private financial information of users of devices such as
account numbers, credentials, passwords, device identifiers, user names, phone
numbers, credit card information, bank information, or other financial
information which may be used to facilitate online transactions by users.
[0038] In some embodiments, the user profile may also include a list
of
social network connections of the user. For purposes of the present
disclosure, a
social network "connection", also referred to as being "connected" on a social
network, may include both a bi-lateral agreement between members of the social
network as well as situations in which there is only a unilateral
acknowledgement of the "connection." In the bi-lateral agreement situation,
both members of the "connection" acknowledge the establishment of the
connection (e.g., friends). Similarly, in the unilateral acknowledgement
situation, a member may elect to "follow" or "watch" another member. In
contrast to bi-lateral agreement, the concept of "following" another member
typically is a unilateral operation because it may not call for
acknowledgement
or approval by the member that is being followed. The social network
connections of a user may be retrieved via an API from one or more social
networks.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the marketplace applications 126 may
include one or more recommendation modules 214, which may provide
recommendation services and functions to users. In some embodiments, the
recommendation modules 214 may receive requests for recommendations, and,
in turn, provide a recommendation to the user based on information contained
in
the user's corresponding user profile. In some embodiments, the
recommendation modules 214 may automatically generate and provide a
11
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
recommendation based on the activity of the user. The recommendations
provided by the recommendation modules 214 may contain one or more items
(e.g., products offered for sale, articles, blogs, movies, social network
connections, etc.) that may potentially interest a user. The recommendations
may, for example, be based on previous products purchased by the user or a
social network connection of the user, a web page viewed by the user, or an
item
given favorable feedback by the user or a social connection of the user.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of
multiple modules forming the social scan applications 130, which are provided
as part of the network-based marketplace 102. The social scan applications 130
are shown as including one or more social network monitoring modules 300,
analysis modules 302, communication modules 304, and display modules 306 all
configured to communicate with each other (e.g., via a bus, shared memory, a
switch, or application programming interfaces (APIs)). The various modules of
the social scan applications 130 may furthermore access one or more databases
134 via the database servers 132, and each of the various modules of the
social
scan applications 130 may each be in communication with one or more third
party applications 116.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the social scan applications 130 may
include
one or more social media monitoring modules 300, which are used to retrieve
and track publically available entries made on one or more social networks.
Depending on the social network, these entries may, for example, include an
activity feed post, a wall post, a status update, a tweet, a pinup, a like, or
a
check-in. For purposes of the present disclosure, a "check-in" refers to a
service
provided by a social network that allows users to "check-in" to a physical
space
and share their location with other users of the social network. In some
embodiments, a user may check-in to a specific location by sending a text
message to the relevant social network service. Consistent with some
embodiments, users may check-in to a specific location by using a mobile
application provided by the social network on a client device (e.g., client
device
106). The social network mobile application may use the GPS functionality of
the client device to find the current location of the user and allow the user
to
share this information with other users of the social network.
12
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
[0042] The social media monitoring modules 300 may obtain social
network
entries via publically accessible APIs provided by each of the one or more
social
networks. In some embodiments, the social media monitoring modules 300 may
obtain social networks entries made by users of the network-based marketplace
102, and maintain each entry as part of the user data comprising each of the
respective user's profiles, which are stored in databases 134. In some
embodiments, the social media monitoring modules 300 may obtain social
networks entries made by connections of users of the network-based marketplace
102, and maintain each entry as part of the user data comprising each of the
respective user's profiles, which are stored in databases 134.
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the social scan applications 130 may
include
one or more analysis modules 302, which may be used to analyze the social
network entries obtained by the social media monitoring modules 300. The
analysis modules 302 may analyze social network entries to identify certain
keywords from the entries that are indicative of a desire of a user to either
purchase or sell a particular product or service. These keywords may be
separated into two categories: 1) buyer keywords, and 2) seller keywords. The
buyer keywords are terms or phrases that are indicative of a desire of a user
to
purchase a particular product (e.g., an item or a service). For example, a
social
network entry stating, "I want the new PlayStation 4!!" would be indicative of
the user's desire to purchase a new PlayStation 4. In another example, a
social
network entry stating, "I just dropped my iPhone, and now the screen is
cracked.
This is going to be so expensive to replace," may be indicative of the user's
desire to purchase a new iPhone. A particular user whose social network entry
is
identified as having one or more buyer keywords may be marked by the analysis
modules 302 as a potential buyer and such information may be maintained as
part of the user data comprising the particular user's user profile.
[0044] The seller keywords are terms or phrases that are indicative of
a
desire of a user to sell a particular product (e.g., an item or service). For
example, a social network entry stating, "I just got a new couch, anybody want
my old one? I will sell it for cheap" is indicative of the user's desire to
sell a new
couch. A particular user whose social network entry is identified has having
one
or more seller keywords may be marked by the analysis modules 302 as a
13
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
potential seller and such information may be maintained as part of the user
data
comprising the particular user's user profile.
[0045] In some embodiments, the identification of keywords performed
by
the analysis modules 302 may comprise performing natural language processing
for each entry to mine terms and phrases from each entry that are indicative
of
the desire to purchase or sell a product. In some embodiments, the terms and
phrases used in the entries may be compared to a database of known terms or
phrases that are indicative of a desire or intent to purchase or sell one or
more
products.
[0046] The analysis modules 302 may also identify one or more products
(e.g., items or services) from the social network entries in conjunction with
the
identification of the keywords. The analysis modules 302 may identify the one
or more products or services in accordance with the methodologies discussed
above in reference to identifying keywords. The analysis modules 302 may use
the identified products and services to locate listings (e.g., hosted by the
network-based marketplace 102) corresponding to the identified products or
services, or similar products and services.
[0047] In some embodiments, the analysis modules 302 may further match
a
potential buyer with a potential seller. In some embodiments, the
determination
of the potential buyer being a match may be based on a relationship between
the
products being referenced by the potential seller and the potential buyer in
the
respective social network entries of each. Consistent with some embodiments,
the analysis modules 302 may determine that a potential buyer and a potential
seller are both referring to a common product, and thus, the potential buyer
and
the potential seller are a match. Consistent with some embodiments, the
analysis
modules 302 may determine that a potential buyer and a potential seller are
both
referring to related products (e.g., different versions of the same product,
similar
products made by different manufactures, etc.) and thus, the potential buyer
and
the potential seller may be a match
[0048] In some embodiments, the analysis module 302 may work in
conjunction with the recommendation modules 214 to recommend one or more
listings (e.g., hosted on the network-based marketplace 102) to a potential
buyer.
The one or more listings may correspond to an identical or similar product
14
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
referenced in a social network entry made by the potential buyer. In some
embodiments, the listings included in such recommendations may correspond to
listings of social network connections of the users.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the social scan applications 130 may
include
one or more communication modules 304, which may facilitate communications
between users. In some embodiments, the communication module 304 may be
used for generation and delivery of messages to users of the network-based
marketplace 102. In some embodiments, the communication module 304 may
be used for generation and delivery of messages between a potential buyer and
a
potential seller. Such messages may, for example, include an indication of the
match between a potential buyer and a potential seller.
[0050] Respective communication modules 304 may utilize any one of a
number of message delivery networks and platforms to deliver messages to
users. For example, the communication modules 304 may deliver electronic
mail (e-mail), instant message (IM), Short Message Service (SMS), text,
facsimile, or voice (e.g., Voice over IP (VoIP)) messages via the wired (e.g.,
the
Internet), plain old telephone service (POTS), or wireless (e.g., mobile,
cellular,
WiFi, WiMAX) networks. In some embodiments, the communication modules
304 may be used to generate social network entries to be posted on one or more
social networks on behalf of a user. The social network entries may include
one
or more hyperlinks that may automatically redirect a user's browser to a
particular marketplace listing.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the social scan applications 130 may
include
one or more display modules 306. The display module 306 may control
information or data that is provided to client systems for display on the
client
device 106. The display module 306 may be configured to generate and provide
instructions to present web pages, user interfaces, search results,
recommendation results, and other information retrieved from the database 134.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a screenshot illustrating an example social network
activity
feed 400 including example social network entries 402 and 406, consistent with
some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, the activity feed 400 includes social
network entries 402 and 406 posted by user 404 and user 408, respectively. As
shown in FIG. 4, user 404 specifically posts the need to sell his iPhone 4,
while
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
user 408 indicates that his iPhone is broken. Through processing of the words
"sell my iPhone 4" and "broke my iPhone," the analysis modules 302 may
identify the user 404 as a potential seller and the user 408 as a potential
buyer.
In particular, it is clear from the screenshot that both users are referring
to a
common product, an iPhone, and that the user 404 needs to sell the product
while the user 408 needs to purchase the product. Because the user 404 is
interested in selling a particular product that matches the product that the
user
408 is interested purchasing, the users may be matched and connected by the
social scan applications 130.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the social network entry 402 also includes
hyperlink 410, which, when selected by a user, may redirect the user's browser
to the marketplace listing (e.g., hosted by the network-based marketplace 102)
of
the user 404 for the product (e.g., an iPhone) that the user 404 intends to
sell. In
some embodiments, in response to the analysis modules 302 determining that the
user 404 and the user 408 are a match, the communication modules 304 may
generate a message to the user 408 indicating that the user 404 is potentially
selling a product that is of interest to the user 408. In some embodiments,
the
message may also include a hyperlink (e.g., hyperlink 410) that may direct the
browser of the user 408 to the listing of the user 404.
[0054] FIG. 5 is a screenshot illustrating an example interface 500 for
connecting buyers and sellers, consistent with some embodiments. As shown in
FIG. 5, the interface 500 may include a group of marketplace listings 504,
which
may comprise marketplace listings from various social network connections of a
user 502. The group of marketplace listings 504 may be filtered such that each
marketplace listing presented in the group of marketplace listings 504
corresponds to a social network of the user 502.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 5, interface 500 may include a news feed
506,
which includes a list of recent activity of the social network connections of
user
502. In this manner, the user 502 may quickly view products (e.g., items or
services) that his social network connections are currently selling or
interested in
purchasing. Information included in the news feed 506 may be retrieved from
the user data maintained as part of the user profile of each of these social
network connections, and in some embodiments, the information may include
16
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
information retrieved via an API from one or more social networks (e.g., the
third party applications 116 hosted on the third party servers 114).
[0056] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 600 for
connecting buyers and sellers by scanning social information, consistent with
some embodiments. For the purpose of illustration, FIG. 6 may be described
with reference to FIGS. 1-5. The method 600 shown in FIG. 6 may be embodied
in computer-readable instructions for execution by one or more processors such
that the steps of the method 600 may be performed by the client device 106,
the
client device 108, or application server 124 and, in particular, social
applications
of the client devices 106 and 108, or social scan application 130 of
application
server 124. In this example, the method 600 may include operations such as
scanning a social network at operation 605, identifying intent of a user to
purchase a product at operation 610, identifying seller keywords from a social
network entry at operation 615, and connecting the potential buyer with the
potential seller at operation 625.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, the social media monitor modules 300 may
monitor posts made on one or more social networks by users of the one or more
social networks at operation 605. Consistent with some embodiments, users that
may be potential buyers or potential sellers may be interacting with social
networking sites using mobile social applications executing on the client
device
106. This information may be publicly accessible and available to be scanned
by
the social media monitor module 300. Alternatively, a user of the network-
based
marketplace 102 may the network-based marketplace 102 permission to access
their social networking sites to learn more about the user. In addition, users
of
the network-based marketplace 102 may have social connections within the
context of the application server 124 that are saved in the user's profile.
[0058] At operation 610, an intent of a first user to purchase a
product is
identified. Consistent with some embodiments, the identifying of the intent of
the first user to purchase a product may comprise the analysis module 302
identifying buyer keywords from a first user's social network entry. The first
user's social network entry may identify a product, and the buyer keywords may
indicate an intent, need, or desire to buy the product. In some embodiments,
the
identifying of the intent of the first user to purchase an product may be
based on
17
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
one or more key word searches (e.g., key word searches enabled by the
navigation modules 208) performed by the first user for listings published via
the marketplace 102 that are related to the product.
[0059] At operation 615, the analysis module 302 may identify seller
keywords from a second user's post. The seller keywords may identify a
product and indicate an intent, need, or desire to sell the product. An
example of
operations 610 and 615 are shown in FIG. 4, in which a first user specifically
posts the need to sell their iPhone 4, while a second user indicates that
their
iPhone broken. By scanning the words "sell my iPhone 4" and "broke my
iPhone", analysis modules 302 may identify the first user as a potential
seller
and the second user as a potential buyer. It will be appreciated that the
identification of the first user as a potential seller may occur at any time
before,
after, or simultaneously with the identification of the potential buyer.
Similarly,
the identification of the second user as a potential buyer may occur at any
time
before, after, or simultaneously with the identification of the potential
seller.
[0060] Returning to FIG. 6, at operation 620, the analysis module 302
may
attempt to match a potential buyer of a product to a potential seller of the
product. Accordingly, at operation 620 the analysis module 302 may determine
that the first user is a potential buyer, the second user is a potential
seller, and the
first user and the second user are a match. In the context of the example
shown
in FIG. 4, the analysis module 302 may determine that both users 404 and 408
are referring to a common product, an iPhone, and that user 404 needs to sell
the
product while user 408 needs to buy the product.
[0061] In response to determining that the first user and the second
user are a
match, the social scan application 130 may communicatively connect the
potential buyer to the potential seller at operation 625. Returning to the
FIG. 4
example, because user 404 is interested in selling a particular product that
matches the product that user 408 is interested in purchasing, there is a
match,
and the user 404 may be communicatively connected to the user 408.
Consistent with some embodiments, the communication module 304 may
communicatively connect potential buyers to potential sellers by sending an e-
mail, short messaging service (SMS), or other notification, or may connect
them
within the social network, or within the context of accessing the application
18
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
server 124.
[0062] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a computing device 700,
which
may correspond to client device 106 or client device 108, consistent with some
embodiments. The computing device 700 may, for example, be a smartphone
such as an iPhoneTM or other mobile device miming the iOSTM operating system,
the AndroidTM operating system, a BlackBerryTM operating system, the
Microsoft Windows Phone operating system, SymbianTM OS, or webOSTM,
as would be consistent with client device 106 or client device 108. Computing
device 700 may also be a tablet computer such as the iPadTM or other similar
device running the aforementioned operating systems. Computing device 700
may also be personal computer, laptop computer, netbook, or tablet computer as
also would be consistent with client device 106 or client device 108. The
computing device 700 may include a processor 710. The processor 710 may be
any of a variety of different types of commercially available processors
suitable
for mobile devices (e.g., an XScale architecture microprocessor, a
Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages (MIPS) architecture
processor, or another type of processor). A memory 720, such as a random
access memory (RAM), a Flash memory, or other type of memory, is typically
accessible to the processor 710. The memory 720 may be adapted to store an
operating system (OS) 730, as well as application programs 740, such as a
mobile location enabled application that may provide location based services
(e.g., physical location check-in) to a user. The processor 710 may be
coupled,
either directly or via appropriate intermediary hardware, to a display 750 and
to
one or more input/output (I/O) devices 760, such as a keypad, a touch panel
sensor, a microphone, and the like.
[0063] Similarly, in some embodiments, the processor 710 may be
coupled
to a transceiver 770 that interfaces with an antenna 790. The transceiver 770
may be configured to both transmit and receive cellular network signals,
wireless
data signals, or other types of signals via the antenna 790, depending on the
nature of the computing device 700. In this manner, the connection 118 with
the
network 104 may be established. Further, in some configurations, a GPS
receiver 780 may also make use of the antenna 790 to receive GPS signals.
19
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
MODULES, COMPONENTS AND LOGIC
[0064] Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or
a
number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute either
software modules (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or in a
transmission signal) or hardware modules. A hardware module is a tangible unit
capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in
a
certain manner. In example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g.,
a standalone, client, or server computer system) or one or more hardware
modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may
be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as a
hardware module that operates to perform certain operations as described
herein.
[0065] In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented
mechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module may comprise
dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured (e.g., as a
special-
purpose processor, such as a FPGA or an ASIC) to perform certain operations.
A hardware module may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., as
encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable
processor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain
operations. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware
module mechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in
temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven
by
cost and time considerations.
[0066] Accordingly, the term "hardware module" should be understood to
encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed,
permanently configured (e.g., hardwired) or temporarily configured (e.g.,
programmed) to operate in a certain manner and/or to perform certain
operations
described herein. Considering embodiments in which hardware modules are
temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the hardware modules need
not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example,
where the hardware modules comprise a general-purpose processor configured
using software, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respective
different hardware modules at different times. Software may accordingly
configure a processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardware module
at
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
one instance of time and to constitute a different hardware module at a
different
instance of time.
[0067] Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive
information from, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described
hardware modules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where
multiple of such hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications
may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits
and
buses that connect the hardware modules). In embodiments in which multiple
hardware modules are configured or instantiated at different times,
communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, for example,
through the storage and retrieval of information in memory structures to which
the multiple hardware modules have access. For example, one hardware module
may perform an operation and store the output of that operation in a memory
device to which it is communicatively coupled. A further hardware module may
then, at a later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the
stored
output. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input or
output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of
information).
[0068] The various operations of example methods described herein may
be
performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that are temporarily
configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to perform the
relevant
operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processors
may constitute processor-implemented modules that operate to perform one or
more operations or functions. The modules referred to herein may, in some
example embodiments, comprise processor-implemented modules.
[0069] Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partially
processor-implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of a
method may be performed by one or more processors or processor-implemented
modules. The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed
among the one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine,
but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the
processor or processors may be located in a single location (e.g., within a
home
environment, an office environment, or as a server farm), while in other
embodiments the processors may be distributed across a number of locations.
21
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
[0070] The one or more processors may also operate to support
performance
of the relevant operations in a "cloud computing" environment or as a
"software
as a service" (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations may be
performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines including
processors), with these operations being accessible via a network (e.g., the
Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., APIs).
ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND SYSTEM
[0071] Example embodiments may be implemented in digital electronic
circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of
them. Example embodiments may be implemented using a computer program
product, for example, a computer program tangibly embodied in an information
carrier, for example, in a machine-readable medium for execution by, or to
control the operation of, data processing apparatus, for example, a
programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers.
[0072] A computer program can be written in any form of programming
language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed
in
any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, subroutine, or
other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program
can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one
site, or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a
communication
network.
[0073] In example embodiments, operations may be performed by one or
more programmable processors executing a computer program to perform
functions by operating on input data and generating output. Method operations
can also be performed by, and apparatus of example embodiments may be
implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry (e.g., a FPGA or an ASIC).
[0074] The computing system can include clients and servers. A client
and
server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a
communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue
of
computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-
server relationship to each other. In embodiments deploying a programmable
computing system, it will be appreciated that both hardware and software
22
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
architectures merit consideration. Specifically, it will be appreciated that
the
choice of whether to implement certain functionality in permanently configured
hardware (e.g., an ASIC), in temporarily configured hardware (e.g., a
combination of software and a programmable processor), or a combination of
permanently and temporarily configured hardware may be a design choice.
Below are set out hardware (e.g., machine) and software architectures that may
be deployed, in various example embodiments.
EXAMPLE MACHINE ARCHITECTURE AND MACHINE-READABLE
MEDIUM
[0075] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of machine in the example form of a
computer system 800 within which instructions 824 for causing the machine to
perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be
executed. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone
device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked
deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client
machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-
to-
peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine may be a personal
computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a PDA, a cellular telephone,
a
web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of
executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be
taken
by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term
"machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that
individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to
perform
any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.
[0076] The example computer system 800 includes a processor 802
(e.g., a
central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both), a
main
memory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicate with each other via a
bus 808. The computer system 800 may further include a video display unit 810
(e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The
computer
system 800 also includes an alphanumeric input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard),
a
UI cursor control device 814 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal
generation device 818 (e.g., a speaker), and a network interface device 820.
23
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
MACHINE-READABLE MEDIUM
[0077] The disk drive unit 816 includes a machine-readable medium 822
on
which is stored one or more sets of data structures and instructions 824
(e.g.,
software) embodying or used by any one or more of the methodologies or
functions described herein. The instructions 824 may also reside, completely
or
at least partially, within the main memory 804, static memory 806, and/or
within
the processor 802 during execution thereof by the computer system 800, with
the
main memory 804 and the processor 802 also constituting machine-readable
media.
[0078] While the machine-readable medium 822 is shown in an example
embodiment to be a single medium, the term "machine-readable medium" may
include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed
database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more
data
structures or instructions 824. The term "machine-readable medium" shall also
be taken to include any tangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding,
or
carrying instructions (e.g., instructions 824) for execution by the machine
and
that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the
present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data
structures used by or associated with such instructions. The term "machine-
readable medium" shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to,
solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. Specific examples of
machine-readable media include non-volatile memory, including by way of
example, semiconductor memory devices (e.g., erasable programmable read-
only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
(EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard
disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-
ROM disks.
[0079] Furthermore, the tangible machine-readable medium is non-
transitory
in that it does not embody a propagating signal. However, labeling the
tangible
machine-readable medium as "non-transitory" should not be construed to mean
that the medium is incapable of movement ¨ the medium should be considered
as being transportable from one physical location to another. Additionally,
since
24
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
the machine-readable medium is tangible, the medium may be considered to be a
machine-readable device.
TRANSMISSION MEDIUM
[0080] The instructions 824 may further be transmitted or received over a
communications network 826 using a transmission medium. The instructions
824 may be transmitted using the network interface device 820 and any one of a
number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP). Examples of
communication networks include a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, mobile telephone
networks, POTS networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., WiFi and WiMax
networks). The term "transmission medium" shall be taken to include any
intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying
instructions
824 for execution by the machine, and includes digital or analog
communications signals or other intangible media to facilitate communication
of
such software.
[0081] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been
described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident
that
various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without
departing from the broader scope of the inventive subject matter. Accordingly,
the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather
than a
restrictive sense. The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by
way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the
subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings
disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such
that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without
departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description,
therefore,
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments
is
defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents
to
which such claims are entitled.
[0082] Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be
referred to
herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term "invention" merely for
convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is
in
fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to
achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments
shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or
variations
of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other
embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of
skill
in the art upon reviewing the above description.
[0083] All publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in
this
document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though
individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages
between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the
usage in the incorporated references should be considered supplementary to
that
of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this
document
controls.
[0084] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is common
in
patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other
instances or usages of "at least one" or "one or more." In this document, the
term "or" is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that "A or B" includes
"A
but not B," "B but not A," and "A and B," unless otherwise indicated. In the
appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-
English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Also,
in the following claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-
ended;
that is, a system, device, article, or process that includes elements in
addition to
those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the
scope
of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms "first," "second,"
and "third," and so forth are used merely as labels, and are not intended to
impose numerical requirements on their objects.
[0085] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37
C.F.R.
1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain
the
nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding
that it
will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In
addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various
26
CA 02889279 2015-04-22
WO 2014/059180
PCT/US2013/064394
features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of
streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be
interpreted as
reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features
than
are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed
embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the
Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate
embodiment.
27
